Cool Running!

My friend, Sarah, decided a few months back that she was going to run the New Orleans Rock n' Roll marathon on February 28th. Having just completed one in October, I knew I wasn't mentally ready to dive right back into training for another 26.2 miles, but I kept telling her (and myself) that I might consider the half marathon. Well, last week Kristen and I caved and decided to both do the half marathon along with Sarah. Booking our flights last Sunday really solidified my commitment, which meant I needed to start training! I've been running intermittently outside but haven't run more than 7 miles since my marathon. This week I officially starting 'training' and ran 6.5 miles Tuesday morning. (It's a lot less motivating when it's below freezing outside!) I kept telling myself that on Saturday I would tackle 10 and then would feel good about the race. As some of you know, I'm quite determined and once I put my mind to something, it's hard to sway me. Well, I had already committed in my head that I was going to run 10 miles on Saturday...irregardless of the extreme cold and snow in the forecast. Around 9am on Saturday, I headed outside only to find flurries already starting to fall. Thinking they would subside, I persisted only to find the snow just as persistent. About 3 miles into my run, the snow was really coming down, but I was determined to complete my 10 miles. On the way back, I couldn't really feel my fingers and was wishing I had doubled up on my gloves, icicles were forming on my eyelashes, and I had to considerably slow my pace because of my lack of traction in the snow. Not to mention I used no logic before heading out and took my water bottles with me only to find them frozen by the time I went for a drink. With a little over 2 miles left, I passed a 7-11 and contemplated going in just to unthaw for a bit, but knew somehow I still had to endure those last two miles, so I kept truckin'. It was pretty much the least enjoyable run I have ever been on. (It even beats my Pocahontas State Park run!) I'm happy to report that I did finish 10.12 miles on Saturday and eventually warmed up after a very, very, very long shower!

I knew I had to look crazy, so I snapped a pic when I got in the house:

Triple Crown!

Triple birthday crowns, that is! Last Saturday, Frank & I left the house super-duper early to make it to Long Island for Kate's 9:30am karate class. As exciting and fun as it was to watch her 'ki-ya' in class, the real reason for our quick trip was to celebrate her 3rd birthday, Emma's 1st birthday, and JoAnn's 28th (I think?) birthday! On Saturday night, friends and family gathered at our cousin, James's, Tiger Schulmann studio for a little bday party action (for the kids). After a quick visit with Uncle Carl Sunday morning, we were back on the road at 11:30 to ensure we arrived at home before Frank's 6:00pm soccer scrimmage.

Dear Mr. Mailman

Do you really think it's appropriate to deliver mail in my neighborhood at 8pm in the evening? You lurk around from house to house in the dark, wearing a head-light...Perhaps that doesn't necessarily strike you as normal? And I understand that we all make mistakes; I am ok with receiving my neighbor's mail on occasion, but my jaw dropped to the floor today when I received mail for someone in LORTON, VIRGINIA! The next house is understandable, even the next street...but 20 miles away? Come on...Are you playing tricks on me now?

Flasher

My neighbor keeps me updated about potential scares on the W&OD trail since it's my usual running route, so yesterday I received an email from her about a flasher who has been exposing himself to runners/bikers/walkers on the trail in Arlington. I also caught a blurb on the news this morning. Ok, let's take a moment here to think...If I were running and glanced to my right (or left) and saw a pantless man standing there, I'm fairly certain I would burst out laughing. I mean, really! What reaction is this guy looking for? And - the news this morning literally said "witnesses have seen him standing on the side of the trail pantless". One would think he would stand out, no? Yet he remains uncaught...Regardless, thanks for the warnings, Gina!!

Making up for lost time

Frank & I haven't quite kicked off the new year on the right foot...As I mentioned in my last post, he spent the first 10 days of 2010 in Tampa, FL working towards getting his Soccer A License...And then upon his return, I flew to Chicago to attend a week of training for work (in St. Charles, about an hour outside of Chi-Town).

Frank picked me up from the airport Friday evening and brought me home to a phenomenal surprise dinner...steak and lobster complete with three bouquets of tulips as a table centerpiece...Quite the 'welcome home'! Yesterday, with a morning soccer game (for him) and Mary Kay's bridal shower in the afternoon(for me), our time was limited, but we did end the evening with dinner for the two of us at Chef Geoff's to take advantage of Restaurant Week. After debating whether to hit up a late night movie, we opted to head back to the house and catch up on our DVR. (Since I haven't been feeling too well the past few days, it seemed like an appropriate way to end the evening!)

Since I granted myself 'permission' to be lazy this weekend (Chicago took a lot out of me!), I slept in both mornings, DID NOT squeeze in any runs (even though the temperatures yesterday were ideal), and am now still lounging around in my PJs...Ahhhh...In an attempt to be somewhat productive this weekend, Frank & I are heading to Home Depot later on to seek some ideas for our bathrooms (since we are planning to renovate two of our bathrooms this year).

Here's to spending QT together over the next two weeks...before Frank heads out to Las Vegas for Mike's Bachelor Party!

New Year, New Look

Perhaps a new look will inspire me to blog more this year? With Frank out of town this week (in Tampa getting his A soccer license), I've found myself lounging on the couch in the evenings, not knowing what to do with myself...hence the Friday evening blog update! :)

Welcome 2010!

I can't get over how quickly 2009 flew by...Yet somehow here we are in 2010...with a clean slate, a fresh start. I usually don't make resolutions but this year I've laid out some general rules for myself that I hope to stand by:

1. Have patience, don't sweat the small stuff
2. Enjoy life - Don't work as much; spend more time with my husband, family, & friends
3. Read more non-fiction
4. Blog more :)

I didn't go with anything too ground breaking, just a few simple goals to strive towards. Over the past two weeks, I certainly held true to #2 on my list - The holidays were a whirlwind with trips to New York, Winchester, and Delaware, packing in as much time as we could with our loved ones. Frank & I even squeezed in a great weekend in NYC for just the two of us. Our Christmas celebration started on 12/20 on Long Island with The DeMarco's, then headed back to VA for Christmas Eve at my sister & Jon's (her BF) new house followed by Christmas Day at my Mom's. We rounded out the festivities with a Garone celebration in Delaware this past weekend at my cousin, Angela's house. After countless cookies, many drinks, endless food, unbelievably generous gifts (including Frank's new golf driver, Kindle, and my Tassimo, Burberry scarf, and Uggs!), and good times filled with love and laughter, we packed up our Christmas decorations on Saturday until next year. If only we could package the magic of the season for the rest of the year!